What: 2014 World Cup Qualifying – Group H
Who: Montenegro vs England
When: Tuesday 26th March, 2013, at 20:00 UK Time
Where: Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro
Branko Brnovic’s Men Look for Giant Leap Towards Brazil
Montenegro are one of the most improved teams in Europe since they declared independence in 2006. Branko Brnovic’s side are, as most teams from their part of the world, physical and robust defensively, but not lacking in attacking flair either. They almost qualified for the 2012 European Championship and will be confident having started this group in fantastic form that they may just make it to Brazil.
Five games into the group, unbeaten with just one draw against Poland, and Montenegro are two points clear of their main rivals for top spot, England, who they face here. For Brnovic, he will be looking at this game and thinking that if his team can find a way to win, then they will take a giant stride towards Brazil.
Their superb defence is the main reason for their current position and Montenegro have now gone over 400 minutes without conceding a goal, dating back to last September’s 2-2 home draw with Poland. However, they laboured in the victory over Moldova on Friday in rain sodden Chisinau.
Roy Hodgson Faces Arguably His Biggest Test
Having effectively had the freedom of not being able to lose even in defeat as England manager at the European Championship last year, Roy Hodgson is now learning what it is like to be in charge of the national team. Rows over the participation of senior players, a plethora of dropouts from the squad – this represents arguably his biggest test, a trip to direct rivals in qualification, who are above his England team in the standings at present.
These are the kinds of games on which the former Switzerland and Finland coach will be judged. Hodgson’s England are looking to take charge of the group, but a visit to Montenegro comes fraught with risk. Deprived of many key defenders, most notably Rio Ferdinand and Gary Cahill, England’s backline will be tested by the talents of Jovetic and Vucinic.
England showed promise in last month’s friendly win over Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Brazil. Their performance in that game was unusually composed, with the team putting on an impressive display of both pressing and passing. Key to that however was Jack Wilshere, who will be absent here. Tom Cleverley will assume the main creative burden as England look to play a more expansive yet refined style of football. But the most important thing will be making sure they are there in Brazil next year – something which is still far from assured.
Recent form
Montenegro:
Ukraine 0-1 Montenegro (16/10; World Cup qualifying)
Montenegro 3-0 San Marino (14/11; World Cup qualifying)
Moldova 0-1 Montenegro (22/03; World Cup qualifying)
England:
Sweden 4-2 England (14/11; Friendly)
England 2-1 Brazil (06/02; Friendly)
San Marino 0-8 England (22/03; World Cup qualifying)
Key absences
Montenegro: Milorad Pekovic; Filip Kasalica
England: Gary Cahill (doubt); Theo Walcott
Players to watch
Montenegro – Stevan Jovetic: The Fiorentina forward will be relishing the chance to showcase his skills to the world in a game against England. Jovetic will know that this gives him a brilliant opportunity to advertise his potential to English teams, many of who have been monitoring his progress in Florence. Skillful, pacy and with a great shot, Jovetic is a defender’s nightmare. The youngster is hugely talented and will look to put in a performance that further burgeons his growing reputation.
England – Wayne Rooney: Rooney was sent off when England visited Montenegro in the qualifiers for the European Championship, so will be keen to make his mark for the right reasons. Having seen himself sidelined at Manchester United at times by Sir Alex Ferguson, he will also see this as an opportunity to remind his club manager and the English public of his talents. Perhaps most importantly, Rooney remains England’s best player, the one most likely to produce something special to beat a difficult opponent. It is a while since England fans saw the best of the 27-year-old – they may not need to wait much longer.
Match Prediction
This game could be a slow and intensely tactical affair. Both sides have played each other recently, meeting twice in qualifying for Euro 2012, when both games ended in draws. Montenegro’s home stadium can offer visitors an intimidating welcome, but England’s seasoned internationals will not be unused to such an atmosphere.
Montenegro’s style is based on a slow build-up game and ball retention. England have been trying to play more expansively, but Hodgson’s methodical management lends itself to caution as well, and he will want his team to press and leave few spaces in between the lines.
This is therefore likely to be an extremely tight game between two sides who both boast good defences. The big concern for England will be that with a relatively untested central defensive partnership of Joleon Lescott and Chris Smalling, they could be vulnerable to the tricky and speedy pairing of Jovetic and Mirko Vucinic, whose ability in tight spaces could enable them to pierce the English defence.
Montenegro’s defence is led by Stevan Savic, the former Manchester City centre back, alongside Marko Basa. However England are in confident mood and with their key attacking players, Rooney, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ashley Young and Jermain Defoe all in good form, they should be able to find something themselves going forward. Neither side would be too unhappy with a draw, and that seems the most likely outcome Montenegro 1-1 England.
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